| Home | Search | Emissions | Pollutants | About the Database |
Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 148703 |
| State Police # | 13-02045 |
| Accident Date | 2013-05-10 |
| Report Date | 2013-05-16 |
| Follow-up Date | 2013-06-20 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Carbon Monoxide | 5d 16h | 8-84 RCCU Elevated Flare (FE-201) | NO | YES | NO | 8,987.4 pounds |
| NOx | 5d 16h | 8-84 RCCU Elevated Flare (FE-201) | NO | NO | YES | 1,651.7 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 5d 16h | 8-84 RCCU Elevated Flare (FE-201) | NO | YES | NO | 310.9 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 5d 16h | 8-84 RCCU Elevated Flare (FE-201) | NO | YES | NO | 645.9 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 5d 16h | 8-84 RCCU Elevated Flare (FE-201) | NO | NO | YES | 4,441.4 pounds |
| Carbon Monoxide | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | YES | NO | 31.8 pounds |
| NOx | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | NO | YES | 5.8 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | YES | NO | 1.1 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | YES | NO | 157.2 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | NO | YES | 9.3 pounds |
| Hexane | 5d 16h | 1-90 (GO-1 Elevated Flare, FE-602) | NO | NO | NO | 0.7 pounds |
| Carbon Monoxide | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | YES | NO | 1,816.5 pounds |
| NOx | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | YES | 333.8 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | YES | NO | 62.8 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | YES | NO | 10,547.3 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | YES | 517.3 pounds |
| Butadiene | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | YES | 7.2 pounds |
| Benzene | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | YES | 1.5 pounds |
| Toluene | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | NO | 0.1 pounds |
| Hexane | 5d 16h | 5-84 (West Ops Elevated Flare, FE-601) | NO | NO | NO | 45.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing
On May 10, Motiva's Residual Catalytic Cracking Unit (RCCU) discovered a catalyst leak in the unit's second cyclone dip leg. Operations responded immediately and worked to isolate this section of the unit. However, due to the location of the leak it was determined the line could not be isolated without diverting the RCCU process unit to hot circulation. The diverting process required flaring at the GO-1 Elevated flare (EPN 1-90) and West Ops Ground Flare (EPN 9-84). Additional flaring occurred at the Motiva RCCU Elevated Flare (EPN 8-84). Emissions from that flare should be addressed in a separate letter from Motiva. The reintroduction of Motiva's RCCU untreated dry gas resulted in the shell GO-1 unit flaring to the West Ops Elevated Flare.
Discharge Preventable - No
This incident was not preventable by Shell Chemical. There are no direct controls of this stream by Shell Chemical.
Notes/Remedial Actions
Once system was secured, Motiva's maintenance personnel began repairs at the catalyst leak point. By May 12, the repairs on the system were completed and the system was returned to service. The diversion and reintroduction of RCCU Untreated Dry Gas caused the Shell GO-1 unit to flare to the GO-1 Elevated Flare (EPN 1-90) until unit specifications were met. This flaring exceeded reportable quantities.
Connect With Us: